Timing belts are one of those maintenance items that are easy to ignore because an engine can run perfectly right up until the moment the belt fails. Unlike oil changes or worn brakes, there may…
Author: Aldino Fernandes
Aldino Fernandes brings street-level passion and global perspective to the world of automotive journalism. At Dax Street, he covers everything from tuner culture and exotic builds to the latest automotive tech shaping the roads ahead. Known for his sharp takes and deep respect for car heritage, Aldino connects readers to the pulse of the scene—whether it’s underground races or high-performance showcases.
10 Cars Where Financing Costs More Than Depreciation
A car’s purchase price is only the beginning of its financial cost. Interest can quietly become a major expense, especially when buyers use long loan terms or face higher annual percentage rates. At the same…
Which Toyota Tacoma Trim Is Worth the Money?
For 2026, the Toyota Tacoma lineup stretches from a relatively basic work truck to a fully equipped hybrid off-road machine. That range is a strength, but it can also make choosing the right version difficult.…
Pony.ai Plans 4,000 Overseas Robotaxis as Global Autonomous Driving Race Accelerates
Chinese autonomous-driving company Pony.ai is accelerating its international expansion, with a pipeline of more than 4,000 potential overseas robotaxis as the company looks beyond China’s increasingly competitive market. The move puts Pony.ai among the most…
12 Warranty Claims Denied Most Often
A new-car warranty can protect owners from expensive repair bills, but it does not make every mechanical failure the manufacturer’s responsibility. Factory warranties generally cover defects in materials or workmanship for a specified period or…
10 Things Dealers Do to Your Trade-In Before It Hits the Lot
Most buyers assume a trade-in goes straight from the appraisal lane to the used-car lot, but that is rarely the case. Before a dealership advertises a pre-owned vehicle for sale, it typically goes through a…
8 Signs A Used Car Was Stolen
Buying a used car can save thousands of dollars, but a suspiciously cheap vehicle can sometimes hide a much bigger problem. Stolen cars may be given altered identification numbers, forged paperwork, swapped license plates, or…
60 Percent of Repair Parts Come From Three Countries
The next time a repair shop replaces a brake component, suspension part, electrical module, or body panel on an American vehicle, there is a good chance that the part did not originate in the United…
10 Vehicles Most Costly to Insurers When Stolen
Modern vehicle theft is not just a question of how often a model disappears. For insurers, the bigger issue is the financial loss generated by theft claims, which depends on both how frequently vehicles are…
Aston Martin Unveils the Valen With a 625-kW V12 and 214-MPH Top Speed
Aston Martin has introduced the Valen, an ultra-exclusive V12 performance car based on the current Vanquish. It adds another dramatic special edition to the automaker’s growing lineup of limited-production models. Revealed during Monterey Car Week,…
8 States That Pull Your Plate for No Insurance
Driving without required auto insurance can trigger more than a ticket. In several states, maintaining liability coverage is legally tied to keeping a vehicle’s registration and license plate valid. When an insurer reports that coverage…
10 States That Still Require a Safety Inspection For Cars
Most American drivers no longer have to take their cars through a recurring state safety inspection, but that does not mean the practice has disappeared. A number of states still require passenger vehicles to be…
8 Cars That Fail an Ohio Safety Inspection
Ohio does not require every privately owned passenger car to pass a statewide annual safety inspection. However, Ohio law allows State Highway Patrol officers to order inspections of vehicles suspected of being unsafe, and political…
10 Cars Stolen Most From Driveways Overnight
Vehicle theft has fallen sharply across the United States, but the risk has not disappeared. NICB recorded 659,880 vehicle thefts in 2025, a 23.2% decline from 2024, yet that still meant roughly one vehicle was…
10 Cars That Burn Oil Before 60,000 Miles
Oil consumption is expected from an aging engine, but regularly adding oil to a relatively young car is a different matter. Consumer Reports has repeatedly examined owner survey data and found certain modern engines with…
10 Tricks Sellers Use to Hide Engine Trouble
A short test drive can make a used car seem healthier than it really is, especially when engine problems are involved. Repairs can be costly, and some symptoms are easy to conceal long enough for…
8 Fuel-Saving Devices the EPA Tested and Debunked
For decades, motorists have encountered aftermarket devices marketed as solutions for improving fuel economy. Some products claimed to magnetize or “energize” gasoline, while others introduced fuel vapors, changed airflow, or attempted to improve combustion through…
10 Warranty Extensions Automakers Never Announced
Automakers do not always handle known reliability problems with a traditional safety recall. Sometimes the solution appears quietly as a warranty extension, special coverage adjustment, customer satisfaction program, or warranty enhancement. Owners might receive a…
8 Audi Engines That Can Need a $1,000 Carbon Cleaning
Audi’s widespread adoption of FSI and TFSI direct injection helped its engines produce stronger performance, better fuel control, and impressive efficiency. However, direct injection also introduced a maintenance issue that became familiar to many owners…
10 Cars That Outsold Every Rival for a Full Decade
Automotive sales leadership is usually temporary. A redesign, fuel-price swing, new competitor, or change in consumer tastes can knock even a successful model from the top within a few years. That makes a 10-year sales-winning…
4 Mitsubishi Models Worth Buying vs. 4 to Skip
Mitsubishi has long occupied an unusual position in the automotive market. The brand has produced everything from rally-bred performance cars to affordable economy hatchbacks and increasingly sophisticated electrified SUVs. Today, Mitsubishi’s U.S. lineup is much…
Buick Sold a Wagon With a Corvette Engine
Somewhere in a quiet suburban driveway, a wood-paneled station wagon sat next to minivans and sedans, looking like the most unremarkable vehicle on the block. Nobody glanced twice at it. That was the point. Tucked…
10 EVs That Lose Functions on a Used Purchase
Buying a used electric vehicle is no longer just about checking battery health, mileage, accident history, and warranty coverage. Modern EVs are heavily dependent on software, subscriptions, connected accounts, charging promotions, and digitally activated equipment.…
10 Models Getting a Bigger Battery Without a Price Rise
Electric vehicles are improving at a pace that would have seemed unusual in the gasoline-car era. Instead of waiting for complete redesigns, manufacturers are increasingly installing higher-capacity batteries during mid-cycle updates, sometimes while holding the…
Subprime Car Buyers Are Back at Their Highest Share Since 2021
For several years, America’s automotive finance market has been defined by one recurring challenge: affordability. Higher vehicle prices, elevated interest rates, and tighter lending standards made it increasingly difficult for consumers with lower credit scores…
8 Cars That Cost More in Fuel Than in Payments Over Five Years
A cheap monthly payment does not necessarily mean a vehicle is inexpensive to own. Some heavily depreciated luxury and performance cars have fallen so dramatically in value that the amount required to finance them can…
Subaru Previews Next-Generation Outback With More Hybrid Technology
Subaru has released the first official details about the next-generation Outback, confirming that its iconic crossover wagon will place greater emphasis on hybrid powertrains, upgraded driver-assistance technologies, and a redesigned interior to improve comfort and…
8 Steps to Wipe an EV Account Before Selling
Selling an electric vehicle involves much more than signing over the title, handing the buyer the key fobs, and removing your belongings from the cabin. Modern EVs function as connected devices that can store phone…
The Porsche 718 Cayman Loses Just 10% of Its Value in 5 Years
When people buy a new vehicle, depreciation is usually the biggest hidden expense. Many models lose a large share of their value within the first few years, making resale prices far lower than the original…
10 SUVs That Hold Value Better Than a Land Cruiser
Buying an SUV is a major financial decision because the value of a vehicle changes significantly after purchase. Depreciation affects ownership costs, resale opportunities, and long-term affordability. Many buyers assume that premium off-road models such…